ESI Grips, Extra Chunky, Black

I use these grips on two MTB bikes and love their tacky feeling and comfortable thickness. With right technique it is easy to install them onto the handlebars.Their weakest part is the end plugs. These plastic things are absolutely horrendous. They cannot survive a single tree hit and usually just flow out at the first opportunity.The foam grips themselves are quite fragile and thus they need protection that an end plug provides. When I install a new pair of ESI grips, I just immediately throw the end plugs to trash and replace them with aluminum plugs that can hold their own.

Amazing grips but gets greasy over the time

I’ve brought the orange ESI grips. These are amazing and pretty grippy except for highly wet conditions. The only issues with these grips are that they attract a of grease/chain lube stains and isn’t possible to clean it. My orange grips looks muddy. These grips are difficult to maintain when it comes to cleanliness of it. But the performance is still the best and looks stylish!

Great for MTBers who have had hand injuries and need more shock absorption

I sustained a seemingly permanent hand injury when some fool threw their car door into me last year whilst I was pedaling my bike to work in the bike lane at roughly 20MPH. Broken pinky finger right where it joins on the palm of my hand. The surgeon fixed it, went to physical therapy for several months, but still get hand fatigue on long mountain bike rides. Fortunately I have ESI Extra Chunky grips on most of my bikes (running the Wolf Tooth Fat Paws on two other bikes, theyre slightly cushier) and so I can ride without major discomfort on 100+ mile mountain bike rides. Was running ODI lock-on grips before the incident, but cannot go back to those anymore. I am partial to ESI Grips since they used to me one of my sponsors for the MTB racing team I was on from 2014 ... MoreI sustained a seemingly permanent hand injury when some fool threw their car door into me last year whilst I was pedaling my bike to work in the bike lane at roughly 20MPH. Broken pinky finger right where it joins on the palm of my hand. The surgeon fixed it, went to physical therapy for several months, but still get hand fatigue on long mountain bike rides. Fortunately I have ESI Extra Chunky grips on most of my bikes (running the Wolf Tooth Fat Paws on two other bikes, theyre slightly cushier) and so I can ride without major discomfort on 100+ mile mountain bike rides. Was running ODI lock-on grips before the incident, but cannot go back to those anymore. I am partial to ESI Grips since they used to me one of my sponsors for the MTB racing team I was on from 2014 2017, but their grips ROCK! Oh, and these are PURPLE!!!

Happy hands!

I decided to buy these after swapping bikes with my brother for a short ride. Forget differences in geometry or suspension etc, the biggest difference I noticed was the grips. He had these extra chunky ones so I bought some straight away.They're easy to install, not yet damaged (my brother's have a few chunks out of them from crashes), and the first long ride made me glad I had them.I'd recommend them and would definitely buy them again.

I like the feel, but the longevity is TERRIBLE

It's a unique idea, install is somewhat easy with golf grip solvent and/or windex, but they wear out way too quick even for the $18 or whatever current sale price is. IMHO grips shouldn't be something I constantly have to replace like tire sealant or chains.A handful of 50 mile endurance rides and they start wearing through in the thumb area, then eventually they'll tear there and completely disintegrate within a ride or two. Crash hard? They'll tear on the end and without wrapping it in tape to salvage a few more rides it'll continue to open up until there's nothing left and your gripping your carbon bars.If they were $10 apiece I might still consider getting them because they are comfier than typical lock-ons, but would still be frustrated that I have to go ... MoreIt's a unique idea, install is somewhat easy with golf grip solvent and/or windex, but they wear out way too quick even for the $18 or whatever current sale price is. IMHO grips shouldn't be something I constantly have to replace like tire sealant or chains.A handful of 50 mile endurance rides and they start wearing through in the thumb area, then eventually they'll tear there and completely disintegrate within a ride or two. Crash hard? They'll tear on the end and without wrapping it in tape to salvage a few more rides it'll continue to open up until there's nothing left and your gripping your carbon bars.If they were $10 apiece I might still consider getting them because they are comfier than typical lock-ons, but would still be frustrated that I have to go through the process of replacing grips every month instead of having something on there for a year+ that I can forget about.

I'm really loving these grips.

I'm really loving these grips. They are half the weight of the lock-on grips that came with my big, but definitely more comfortable. They are incredibly sticky, and they absolutely do not slip on the bar. They come in a variety of colors. I probably would have bought black if they had them, but they didn't, so I got orange, which turns out to be a pretty good match for the Santa Cruz logo on the frame.

Lightweight and comfortable

The unassuming-looking Extra Chunky Grips have quickly become my go-to MTB grips. They balance squishy comfort with great steering control and feedback. They're a little tricky to get installed, but once they're on, they're awesome. And at a reasonable price, they're not expensive to replace after a crash.

My go to Grips for all my flatbar bikes

I've been using these on my bikes for years now. I prefer the Chunky over the Extra Chunky, but for rigid bikes or hardtails the Extra Chunky has a little more cushion. The hand feel is better to me on the regular Chunky version. These are so much more comfy than rubber grips and keep the hands feeling good after a hard day of riding. I have fairly large hands (glove size L) so I can use either thickness comfortably. However if you have smaller hands the Extra Chunky might be too much.I get a pretty good amount of life out of these but they do tear easier than some harder rubber grips, especially around the bar end areas. I don't get any throttle after installing these with some rubbing alcohol which can't be said about other brands like Oury.The only downside ... MoreI've been using these on my bikes for years now. I prefer the Chunky over the Extra Chunky, but for rigid bikes or hardtails the Extra Chunky has a little more cushion. The hand feel is better to me on the regular Chunky version. These are so much more comfy than rubber grips and keep the hands feeling good after a hard day of riding. I have fairly large hands (glove size L) so I can use either thickness comfortably. However if you have smaller hands the Extra Chunky might be too much.I get a pretty good amount of life out of these but they do tear easier than some harder rubber grips, especially around the bar end areas. I don't get any throttle after installing these with some rubbing alcohol which can't be said about other brands like Oury.The only downside is that riding gloveless if you get sweaty hands these start to become a little slippery after some time on the bike.

Only MTB grip I use

I switched to ESI Chunkys on a friend's recommendation after suffering sore forearms for a week from riding the LPS with normal rubber grips. I haven't used anything else since. Recently stepped up to the Extra Chunky and love the extra volume.If you happen to forget your gloves at home, the Chunkys will save your hands. Good gripiness even with sweat and no blisters.I've had one or two grips split from falls where the handlebar end hit the ground and a rock must have pierced the grip. Otherwise, they've been durable and I'll take a grip I have to replace every now and then for the superior grip and comfort.

Some really love them. Some really don't.

Chunkies are a love 'em or hate 'em item. What I will say is I have never had them slip. I use 90 plus percent alcohol and they go on easy. I do wait a day to ride. And I truly have never had a problem with them sliding or twisting. Try them. Its the only way to know. If there is a down side, they are the most perishable grips I have used. One good hit and they are done.